A half-dozen Iola High School band students defended their band teacher, Ranie Wahlmeier, before the USD 257 Board of Education Monday night.
Wahlmeier is resigning, effective at the end of the school year.
Wahlmeier has taught band at the middle and high schools for the last two years.
Senior Jon Miller spoke on behalf of the students, telling board members he believed the opinions of students and parents had negatively influenced Wahlmeiers decision to resign.
Wahlmeier followed beloved band teacher, Matt Kleopfer, who left the district after four years. Miller said many students were openly hostile to Wahlmeier when she first arrived.